十 断句与合句
《译海一粟：汉英翻译九百例》十 断句与合句,页面无弹窗的全文阅读!
我们在前面已经看到，有些例子，原文是一句话，译成英文却成了两句话。是不是因为原文句子太长，译文才断为两句？能不能一句断为三句或四句？这里面有没有什么规律可循？是不是原文两句有时也可以合译成一句呢？下面我们来集中探讨一下。先看几个例子。为了醒目起见，我们在断句之处加一斜线，在合句之处加一反向斜线，以为标记。
例1
我们的政策是让一部分人、一部分地区先富起来，以带动和帮助落后的地区，/先进地区帮助落后地区是一个义务。（DⅢ155）
It is our policy to let some people and some regions prosper before others, so that they can bring along the backward regions. / The advanced regions have the obligation to help the backward. (158)
例2
中国有句话，叫做“愚公移山”，/这是我们民族的一个传统，/你们称得上是“愚公移海”。（DⅢ232）
In China we have a saying, "The foolish old man removed mountains." / This represents a tradition of our nation. / One might say of your people "The foolish old man reclaimed land from the sea." (230)
例3
中山门蝶式立交桥的设计者干得好，/破格批准他为工程师，应该，/这是谁也不应反对的，/这也叫改革。（DⅢ166）
The designer of the Zhongshanmen cloverleaf flyover did a good job. / He deserves to be promoted to the rank of engineer, as an exception. / Nobody should object to that. / This kind of promotion is also a reform. (169)
例4
开始搞并不踊跃呀，好多人在看。我们的政策就是允许看。\允许看，比强制好得多。（DⅢ374）
At first, people were not enthusiastic about rural reform, and many waited to see how it would work. It was our policy to permit people to do that, \ which was much better than coercing them. (362)
从以上四个例子看，原文一句可以断为两句、三句或四句。不仅如此，原文如果是两句，只要方便，译文也可以合并成一句。下面我们来看一下断句或并句时可能有哪些具体的考虑。
（一）前半句概括，后半句具体。
例5
这些年来第三世界有一些发展，/各国都有一些好的东西，可以相互交流和合作。（DⅢ20）
During recent years the Third World has developed to some extent. / And every country has some good things to exchange with other countries and can cooperate with them. (30)
例6
中国的现代化建设刚起步，/也许本世纪末可以看到比较显著的进步，真正的进步要到下个世纪的三十至五十年。（DⅢ183）
We have only just begun the modernization drive. / We shall probably have made considerable progress by the end of the century and even more notable progress 30 or 50 years after that. (184)
例7
我们讲实践是检验真理的唯一标准，/放开物价、加速改革正确不正确，也要看实践。（DⅢ263）
We say that practice is the sole criterion for testing truth. / Practice will prove whether it is right for us to lift price controls and accelerate the reform. (258)
例8
城市改革实际上是整个经济体制的改革，这是要冒很大风险的。刚开始就出现了一些问题，/去年年底发现多发了一百亿的钞票，今年物价涨得不符合我们的要求。但是不要紧。（DⅢ130）
In fact, the urban reform is a reform of the economic structure as a whole and is very risky. No sooner had it been started than problems appeared. / Late last year we found that we had issued 10 billion yuan more than we should have, and this year inflation has been higher than we expected. But none of this matters much. (134)
例9
深圳的建设速度相当快，/盖房子几天就是一层，一幢大楼没有多少天就盖起来了。（DⅢ51）
The pace of construction there is rapid. / It doesn't take long to erect a tall building; the workers complete a storey in a couple of days. (61)
以上五个例子，都是先说一句笼统的话，后面再说比较具体的细节。在这种情况下，大都是在比较靠前的地方断句。两句译文，前面一句较短，后面一句较长。
例10
各级党委和政府，对教育工作不仅要抓，并且要抓紧、抓住，/严格要求，少讲空话，多干实事。（DⅢ121）
Party committees and governments at all levels should take educational work seriously and do it well. / You should be strict with yourselves and spend less time on idle talk and more on real work. (127)
例11
在我国的教育体系中，基础教育规模最大，/按2001年统计，占各级各类全日制学校在校生总人数的92%。（L235）
Basic education makes up the lion's share of our education system. / According to 2001 statistics, basic education accounted for 92% of the total number of students in all manner of regular schools. (238)
例12
实施素质教育，就是全面贯彻党的教育方针，以提高国民素质为根本宗旨，/以培养学生的创新精神和实践能力为重点，造就“有理想、有道德、有文化、有纪律”的德、智、体、美等全面发展的社会主义事业建设者和接班人。（L303）
To carry out character education is to thoroughly implement the national principle of education and serve the ultimate goal of raising the quality of the workforce. / Character education emphasizes cultivating students' innovative spirit and practical skills, transforming them into exemplary builders of socialism who will be well-developed morally, intellectually, physically and artistically, with lofty ideals and a good sense of discipline.(307)
例13
高校的合并决不是简单地为合并而合并，/根本目的是为了更加合理地配置和充分利用教育资源，提高办学和培养人才的整体水平，提高办学质量和效益。（L91）
A merger is not as simple as putting universities together. / Its fundamental purpose is the sensible reallocation and optimum utilization of education resources, the raising of overall school governance and education levels, and improvement in teaching quality and efficiency. (83)
例14
一些依托高等院校兴办的科技园区或国家高新技术产业开发区迅速发展，成为当地经济新的增长点。如北京中关村科技园区是我国科教智力资源最密集的区域，/除有以中科院为代表的100多家科研机构外，还有以北京大学、清华大学为代表的各类高校31所。（L202）
The burgeoning university sci-tech parks and statelaunched hi-tech development zones have emerged as new sources of local economic growth. The Zhongguancun Science and Technology Park in Beijing is, by far, China's leading center of intellectual excellence in science and education. / It is home to 100-plus research institutes such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences as well as 31 universities such as Peking and Tsinghua universities. (205)
以上五个关于教育工作的译例，也都是先提出话题，再说明具体情况或需求。译文分为两句，比较清楚。此外，例中提到“素质教育”，译文是character education，值得注意。“提高国民素质”译为raise the quality of the workforce，我觉得也是有道理的。因为“国民”在这里不可能是全体人民，而是指受了教育从事劳动或其他工作的人。
例15
时候既然是深冬，/渐近故乡时，天气又阴晦了，冷风吹进船舱中，呜呜的响，从篷隙向外一望，苍黄的天底下，远近横着几个萧索的荒村，没有一些活气。我的心禁不住悲凉起来了。
阿！这不是我二十年来时时记得的故乡？（故乡）
It was late winter. / As we drew near my former home the day became overcast and a cold wind blew into the cabin of our boat, while all one could see through the chinks in our bamboo awning were a few desolate villages, void of any sign of life, scattered far and near under the sombre yellow sky. I could not help feeling depressed.
Ah! Surely this was not the old home I had remembered for the past twenty years?
例16
“你休息一两天，去拜望亲戚本家一回，我们便可以走了。”母亲说。
“是的。”
“还有闰土，/他每到我家来时，总问起你，很想见你一回面。我已经将你到家的大约日期通知他，他也许就要来了。”（故乡）
"You must rest for a day or two, and call on our relatives, and then we can go," said mother.
"Yes."
"Then there is Jun-tu. / Each time he comes here he always asks after you, and wants very much to see you again. I told him the probable date of your return home, and he may be coming any time."
此二例说明，原文以时间引出一段话，或提到某人引出一段话，译文先出一个短句，然后另起一句叙述细节。
例17
以学生食堂为例，/改革后饭菜的质量提高了，花样品种多了，价格便宜了，服务态度好了，/后勤服务企业职工的收入也提高了。（L126）
Take students' cafeterias for instance. / After the reform, meals are tastier and more varied, their prices are lower, and service is much better. / As a result, workers' incomes have also increased. (122)
例18
又比如上海，/目前完全有条件搞得更快一点。（DⅢ376）
Shanghai is another example. / It has all the necessary conditions for faster progress. (363)
以上二例，都是在文中举例，先以一个短句引出话题。这种情况，在译文里一般是要单独成句的。然后另起一句，说出具体内容。
（二）前半句具体，后半句评论。
例19
所以，搞社会主义，一定要使生产力发达，/贫穷不是社会主义。（DⅢ225）
So, to build socialism it is necessary to develop the productive forces. / Poverty is not socialism. (223)
例20
改革首先要打破平均主义，打破“大锅饭”，/现在看来这个路子是对的。（DⅢ155）
The reform is designed, first and foremost, to break with egalitarianism, with the practice of having everyone "eat from the same big pot". / It seems to me that we are taking the right path. (158)
例21
一部分地区发展快一点，带动大部分地区，/这是加速发展、达到共同富裕的捷径。（DⅢ166）
If a few regions develop a little faster, they will spur the others to catch up. / This is a shortcut we can take to speed up development and attain common prosperity. (169)
例22
现在我们有些条件还不怎么好，/这不要紧，以后会逐步改善。（DⅢ161）
Some conditions here are not so satisfactory at the moment. / But that is nothing serious, because they will gradually improve. (164)
例23
你们提出一批重大的勘察设计项目，准备提前做好建设的前期工作，/这件事要认真落实。（DⅢ17）
You have proposed a number of major prospecting and design projects to prepare for construction and you plan to complete them ahead of schedule. / This work has to be done carefully. (27)
例24
要研究投资方向问题。日本人说搞现代化要从交通、通讯上入手，/我看有道理。我们在这方面老是舍不得花钱。（DⅢ165）
Yon should study ways of channeling investment into the proper areas. The Japanese say that modernization should start with transport and telecommunications. / That sounds quite sensible to me. We used to begrudge money for projects in those areas. (168)
例25
一批老同志以实际行动，带头废除领导职务终身制，推进干部制度的改革，/这件事在党的历史上值得大书特书。（DⅢ145）
A number of veteran cadres have taken the lead in abolishing the system of life tenure in leading posts, furthering the reform of the cadre system. / This deserves special mention in the annals of our Party. (148)
例26
人们都在讲南北问题很突出，/我看这个问题就是发展问题。（DⅢ281）
People are saying that the North-South question is very serious. / I think it is only a question of development. (274)
例27
你们成立国际科学文化中心——世界实验室，/是一个重要的创举，特别是可以使第三世界国家得到益处。（DⅢ183）
You have established an international centre of science and culture—the World Laboratory. / This is an important pioneering undertaking and one that will benefit Third World countries in particular. (184)
例28
在这样的条件下，只要各级领导认真抓，我看教育的事情好办，/悲观是没有根据的。（DⅢ122）
Under these circumstances, I think that as long as the leaders at all levels work conscientiously, it will be easy to develop education. / There is no reason for us to be pessimistic. (128)
例29
因此，各高校应当面向现代化、面向世界、面向未来，根据自己的优势和特点，找准自己的定位，办出各自的特色，/免得走弯路。（L149）
Our universities must be geared to the modernization drive, the world and the future; in the light of their own strengths and character, they must know their own identities and work to turn themselves into distinct institutions. / Only then can they avoid setbacks. (147)
例30
但是，什么是世界一流大学？怎样建设世界一流大学？我想首先要说明三点：一是一流大学要有长期的优良学风和浓厚的学术积淀，/也就是需要有很好的基础。（L149）
But just what are world-class universities? And how do we build them? Let me start my answer by clarifying three points. One, a world-class university must have a long-established academic reputation and rich academic resources. / To put it another way, it must have a good foundation. (147)
例31
发展高科技，我们还是要花点钱，/该花的就要花。（DⅢ183）
To develop advanced science and technology we have to spend a certain amount of money. / We should spend it where it is needed. (184)
例32
依托有条件的高等学校的人才和技术优势兴办大学科技园，/是国内外加速科技成果转化、促进高新技术产业发展的通行做法和有效途径。（L201）
Running sci-tech parks based on the intellectual and technological advantages of prestigious universities is a widespread practice at home and abroad. / It is an effective accelerator for transferring research and technology results and for developing new technology. (204)
以上诸例涉及的面很广，但都是先说一些具体情况，再作一简短的表态。这表态可以是一种判断，可以是评价，可以是认可，可以是叮咛，也可以是一种愿望。总之，原文是一句话，译文分成两句，前面一句较长，后面一句较短，甚至很短。不知你是否觉得断句以后，这表态的一句话显得特别有分量。
最后一例特别有意思。原文主语很长，定语也很长，很像英语句子结构。译文分成两句，先交待“通行做法”，再处理“有效途径，”从容不迫，很像汉语的行文思路。若不这样译，也可不断句，将后半句改为which引导的从句，或删去It is，使它成为同位语，但都不如现在的译法条理清楚，最为可取。
例33
中国一定要坚持改革开放，这是解决中国问题的希望。（DⅢ284）
China must adhere to the policies of reform and opening to the outside world: there lies our hope of solving our problems. (277)
例34
任何一项科研成果，都不可能是一个人努力的结果，都是吸收了前人和今人的研究成果。（DⅡ57）
No success in research can be the result of the efforts of a single individual: it always rests on the achievements of past generations as well as our own. (70)
此二例译文并未断句，而是用了冒号。前半句和后半句连系得很紧，若断句则割断了语气上的联系，若不断句则需加for之类的连词，现译用冒号，突显了后半句的分量。
下面的例子，都是先说一个情况，接着问一个问题，原文都在一个句子里，译文都分开，陈述是陈述，问题是问题。遇到这种情况，一般都是这样处理的。
例35
中环线搞得这么快，/是不是搞了承包？（DⅢ166）
The Zhonghuanxian Road has been built so quickly! / Is it because you had a contract signed for the project? (169)
例36
你们准备向外国借一百亿美元，/有没有对象？（DⅢ165）
I have heard that you are ready to borrow US$10 billion from other countries. / Do you have any source of loans in mind? (168)
例37
现在有的人家里有老人孩子，一个月工资几十元，很多时间用于料理生活，晚上找个安静地方读书都办不到，/这怎么行呢？（DⅡ41）
Some now have their children and aged parents living with them, earn well under 100 yuan a month, and must spend a lot of time doing housework. They can't even find a quiet place to read in the evening. / How can this state of affairs be allowed to continue? (54)
例38
我们国家要赶上世界先进水平，/从何着手呢？我想，要从科学和教育着手。（DⅡ48）
China must catch up with the most advanced countries in the world. / But how shall we go about it? I believe we have to begin by tackling science and education. (61)
例39
我们还要请外国著名学者来我国讲学。同中国友好的学者中著名的学者多得很，/请人家来讲学，这是一种很好的办法，/为什么不干？（DⅡ57）
We should also invite noted foreign scholars to lecture in China. Among foreign scholars friendly to China, a great many are prominent in their fields. / It would make good sense to invite them here to lecture. / Why don't we do it? (70)
例40
过去把自己封闭起来，自我孤立，/这对社会主义有什么好处呢？（DⅢ274）
In the past we pursued a closed-door policy and isolated ourselves. / How did that benefit socialism? (269)
例41
怕什么，/坚持这种态度就不要紧，就不会犯大错误。（DⅢ373）
What is there to be afraid of? / So long as we keep this attitude, everything will be all right, and we shall not make any major mistakes. (361)
此例有些特殊。一般都是先说情况后提问，这句却是先提问后说情况。怕什么，照译就是了，译文不是也可以先提问，再说情况吗？反正是两句话。
（三）一句话说两件事或两方面的情况，译文断句。
例42
粉碎“四人帮”以后，我出来工作，/从一九七七年到现在是七年，我相信没有犯大错误。但究竟怎样，/让历史去评价吧！（DⅢ55）
After the downfall of the Gang of Four, I came back to work. / I believe that in the seven years since 1977 I have not made any major mistakes. But how well have I done really? / Let's leave that question to history! (65)
例43
我们的方针不是收，而是继续放，/也许今后要放得更大。（DⅢ114）
Our principle is not to close but to continue to open. / We may open even wider in the future. (120)
例44
观望了一年，有的观望了两年，/看到凡是执行改革政策的都好起来了，他们就跟着走了。（DⅢ155）
For one or two years, they looked on from the sidelines. / Then, when they saw that things were getting better in areas where the reform had been carried out, they began to follow suit. (158)
例45
伯承从青少年时代起就立志“拯民于水火”，/正是这种博大的胸襟，使伯承从旧民主主义者逐步转变为共产主义者。（DⅢ188）
When still very young, Bocheng was already determined to deliver the people from their abyss of suffering. / It was this breadth of vision that helped him gradually change from a follower of old democracy to a Communist. (188)
以上四例，原文一句话说的是不同时间所做的两件事，译文用两句话分开来说这两件事，比较清楚。
例46
我这次来天津，要看看你们的开发区，看看市容，/还要到港口看一看。（DⅢ165）
During this visit to Tianjin, I should like to see your development district and have a look around the city. / I'd like to see the harbour as well. (168)
例47
农村改革，开始的一两年里有些地区根本不理睬，/他们不相信这条路，就是不搞。（DⅢ155）
In the first year or two, people in some rural areas ignored the reform. / They distrusted it and refused to carry it out. (158)
例48
我们要利用机遇，把中国发展起来，/少管别人的事，也不怕制裁。（DⅢ358）
We shall seize every opportunity to develop. / We do not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, nor do we fear their sanctions. (345)
例49
对贪污、行贿、盗窃以及其他乌七八糟的东西，人民是非常反感的，/我们依靠人民的力量，一定能够逐步加以克服。（DⅢ156）
The people detest graft, bribery, theft and other dirty practices. / I have no doubt that if we rely on the strength of the people, we shall be able to gradually eliminate those practices. (159)
例50
所以，第三世界仅寄希望于南北问题的解决是不够的，/南南之间还要进行合作。（DⅢ20）
So it is not enough for the Third World to place its hopes on a change in relations between the South and the North. / There must also be South-South cooperation. (30)
以上五例，原文一句话说的是同一时间所做的两件事。最后两例，更是由不同的人做的两件事，译为两句，更为清楚。
例51
历史证明，越是富裕的国家越不慷慨，/归根到底，我们要靠自己来摆脱贫困，靠自己发展起来。（DⅢ282）
History has shown that it is precisely the richer countries that are the less generous. / In the final analysis, we have to depend on ourselves to develop and lift ourselves out of poverty. (275)
例52
对这个政策有一些人感到不那么顺眼，/我们的做法是允许不同观点存在，拿事实来说话。（DⅢ155）
Some people don't like this policy. / Our approach is to allow people to hold differing views and to let the facts speak for themselves. (158)
例53
我曾经说过，干部不是只要年轻，有业务知识，就能解决问题，/还要有好的作风。（DⅢ146）
I once said that youth and professional competence alone are not enough. / To this must be added a fine work style. (149)
例54
中国有自己的特点，所以我们只能按中国的实际办事，/别人的经验可以借鉴，但不能照搬。（DⅢ229）
Since China has its own characteristics, we can only run our affairs in accordance with the specific conditions in China. / Of course, we can learn from the experience of others, but we must never copy everything. (227)
例55
搞改革完全是一件新的事情，难免会犯错误，/但我们不能怕，不能因噎废食，不能停步不前。（DⅢ229）
Since reform is a brand-new undertaking, mistakes are inevitable. / We must not be afraid of making mistakes, and temporary setbacks must not make us abandon the reform and just mark time. (227)
以上五例，原文一句话说的是两方面的情况，重点在后面一种情况。译文分为两句，可以突显后面一句的分量。
（四）层次较多，一句译为三句或四句，甚至五句。
例56
现在机构臃肿，/有的部委据说有上万人，/必须精简。（DⅢ192）
Departments are overstaffed. / I am told that some ministries and commissions have as many as ten thousand staff members. / I think that number must be reduced. (192)
例57
你们委员会工作了一年零八个月，/靠大家的辛苦、智慧，工作进展是顺利的，合作是好的，/这样香港会过渡得更好。（DⅢ215）
The committee has been working for a year and eight months. / Thanks to your perseverance and intelligence, your work has been making good progress, and you have been cooperating with each other very well. / This will facilitate a smooth transition for Hong Kong. (214)
例58
首先，学校无法教会学生一生所需要的全部知识，/学习伴随人的一生，知识和技能需要不断充实和更新，/大学教育也只是为人的终身学习打下一个好的基础。（L164）
One, schools cannot teach all the knowledge needed by students for the rest of their lives. / Learning is a lifelong process, and you never stop enriching and upgrading your knowledge and skills. / College education, after all, can only lay a good foundation for a person's lifelong study. (162)
例59
一个国家要有通行的语言文字，这对国家的统一和发展是极为重要的，/就连清朝的雍正皇帝也懂得这个道理，他还专门为此下过诏书，/我在清代档案里就查到了这份诏书。（L355）
A nation has to have a universal language, written and spoken, this being essential to national unity and development. / This was not lost on Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty, who issued an edict on this subject. / I have come across this edict in the archives. (358)
例60
中国科学技术落后，/困难比较多，特别是人口太多，现在就有十亿五千万，/增加人民的收入很不容易，短期内要摆脱贫困落后状态很不容易。（DⅢ224）
China lags behind in science and technology. / We have quite a few problems to solve, especially the problem of our huge population, which already stands at 1.05 billion. / This makes it very difficult for us to raise the people's income and to eliminate poverty and backwardness in a short time. (222)
例61
你们在港口和市区之间有这么多荒地，/这是个很大的优势，/我看你们潜力很大。（DⅢ165）
You have so much wasteland between the harbour and the city proper. / This is a major advantage. / It seems to me that you have great potentialities. (168)
以上六例属同一类型。前五例，先说概括情况，再说具体情况，最后作出判断。最后一例，先说具体情况，再说概括情况，最后作出判断。译文都将一句断为三句。
例62
我们可以自豪，/当然自豪同骄傲是两回事，/骄傲不得，说大话也不行，毕竟我们还落后。（DⅢ85）
We can be proud of that. / Of course, there is a difference between pride and conceit. / We should not be conceited or boastful, because we are still economically backward. (92)
例63
我相信，我们之间最终是会找到一个好的解决方案的。即使一时解决不了，可以先放一放，/在贸易、经济、文化等各个领域还可以做很多事情，发展往来，增进了解和友谊，/双方合作仍然有广阔的前景。（DⅢ19-20）
I believe that we shall eventually find a good solution. Even if the border question cannot be resolved for the time being, we can leave it as it is for a while. / We still have many things to do in the fields of trade, the economy and culture and can still increase our exchanges so as to promote understanding and friendship between us. / The two countries have broad prospects for cooperation. (29-30)
以上二例，先说明两个方面的不同情况，最后作出判断，一句译成三句。
例64
对外开放还是要放，/不放就不活，/不存在收的问题。（DⅢ165）
We must continue to open to the outside world. / Otherwise, we shall not be able to invigorate the economy. / We must never close our doors. (168)
例65
现在中国的年对外贸易额是五百亿美元，翻一番是一千亿美元，/到本世纪末如果外贸也翻两番，那就是两千亿美元，/对发达国家来讲不算高，对我们来讲，增长不少了。（DⅢ119）
At present China's annual volume of trade is US$50 billion, so if it is doubled, it will be $100 billion. / If it is quadrupled by the end of the century, it will be $200 billion. / That is not a large sum in the eyes of developed countries, but it would be an enormous increase for China. (125)
例66
从他接受马克思主义、参加中国共产党那一天起，从民主革命时期到社会主义革命和建设时期，从战争年代到和平年代，从指挥作战到治学办校，顺境也好，逆境也好，无论何时何地，客观环境有什么变化，他始终是把自己的一切贡献于、服从于党的需要，把自己融合于党的事业之中，/毫无个人荣辱得失的考虑，/真正达到了忘我的境界。（DⅢ188-189）
From the day he accepted Marxism and joined the Communist Party, during the period of democratic revolution and the period of socialist revolution and construction, in wartime and in peacetime, whether he was directing battles or running military schools, under good circumstances or bad, and no matter what changes took place in the objective situation, he always immersed himself in the Party's cause, serving the needs of the Party and giving it his all. / He ignored all questions of personal gain or loss, honour or disgrace. / He simply gave no thought to himself. (188-189)
以上三例也都是原文一句译成三句。例64，先说明政策，再说明原因，最后表态。例65，先说翻一番如何如何，再说翻两番如何如何，最后作出评论。例66，是对刘伯承同志的一段评价。先说他做了什么，又说他不做什么，最后对他作出评论。还有一点值得注意。例64原文很短，译成三句，并不因为短而不断句。例66原文很长，译成三句，第一句很长，第二、三句很短。可见译文在哪里断句，完全是由内容决定的。
例67
大别山斗争的胜利，主要是对几个问题的判断比较准确，处置也比较正确，/我们伤亡不算很大，费的劲也不算很大，但是完成了战略任务，/种种艰难都克服了，站稳了脚，把战线从黄河延伸到长江。（DⅢ341）
Our victory in the Dabie Mountains was mainly due to our accurate assessment of the situation and our correct handling of certain problems. / We accomplished our strategic task without too much trouble and without too many casualties. / We overcame all sorts of hardships, got a firm foothold and extended the battle line from the Yellow River to the Yangtze. (330)
此例将原文一句译为三句。第一句讲取得胜利的原因，第二句讲完成任务的情况，第三句讲胜利的重大意义。每句话各有自己的重点，但意思是连贯的。
例68
现在科技人员一方面很缺，/另一方面又有很大的窝工浪费，/用非所学、用非所长的现象很严重。这样的管理形式不行。（DⅢ17）
On the one hand, we have an acute shortage of scientists and technicians. / On the other hand, highly trained people are often wasted because of poor organization. / They are not assigned enough work, or they can't apply what they have learned or put their special skills to best use. This method of management doesn't work. (27)
例69
我们坚持独立自主的和平外交政策，不参加任何集团。同谁都来往，同谁都交朋友，/谁搞霸权主义我们就反对谁，/谁侵略别人我们就反对谁。我们讲公道话，办公道事。（DⅢ162）
We adhere to an independent foreign policy of peace and do not join any bloc. We are prepared to maintain contacts and make friends with everyone. / We are against any country that practices hegemonism. / We are against any country that commits aggression against others. We are fair in our words and in our deeds. (165)
这二例，都将一句译成三句，但都是只讲情况，没有表态。这是因为表态的话在原文里就在后面独立成句，只要照译就行了。
例70
你们联系的人多，朋友多，希望你们跟他们讲讲我们国家的事情。让他们回来看看，/看一次不够，/看几次就比较了解了，/就可以看到我们国家是怎样前进的。（DⅢ161）
As you have many associates and friends, I hope you will tell them about our country. You can ask them to come back for a look. / One visit is not enough. / They will have a better understanding of China if they come several times. / They will see how our country is advancing. (164)
此例和以下三例，都是原文一句译成四句。此例原文有两句话。第二句也不算很长，但译成了四个短句。为什么这样译？我也说不好，只能猜测一下。细看这四句译文，用了三个主语you, one visit和they。若放在一句话里，显得不断更换主语，而英语句子里不喜欢主语换得太勤。主语换得太勤影响句子的流畅。另外，把几个短句放在一句话里，就要照顾它们之间的联系，增加麻烦。而现在译成四个短句，语气从容，词句也照顾得较为细致。
例71
过去，物价都由国家规定。例如粮食，还有各种副食品，收购价格长期定得很低，/这些年提高了几次，还是比较低，/而城市销售价格又不能高了，/购销价格倒挂，由国家补贴。这种违反价值规律的做法……（DⅢ262）
…for many years, during which the state set all the prices. For example, for a long time the purchasing prices of grain and non-staple foods were too low. / Although we raised them several times in the past few years, they were still too low. / In the cities, however, we could not raise the selling prices beyond a certain point. / This led to a disparity between the purchasing and selling prices, so the state had to make up the difference. This is contrary to the law of value. (257)
此例中间一句，有四个要点，一环扣一环，放在一个句子里，形成一个完整的链条，描述一种违反价值规律的做法。译文分为四句，然后用一个短句加以概括，点出其实质。这样译条理比较清楚。
例72
我们一定要兢兢业业地做好自己的工作，/加强同全国各族人民的团结，加强同全世界人民的团结，/为把我国建设成为现代化的，高度文明、高度民主的社会主义国家，/为反对霸权主义，维护世界和平，推进人类进步事业，而努力奋斗。（DⅢ4）
We must do our work carefully and well. / We must strengthen our Party's unity with the people of all ethnic groups in our country and with the people of the rest of the world. / We must struggle hard to make China a modern socialist country that is highly democratic and culturally advanced. / We must also struggle hard to oppose hegemonism, safeguard world peace and promote human progress. (16)
此例是一个重要文件的最后一段，一气呵成，具有强大的感染力和号召力。译文若仿照原文的结构，主语只出现一次，后面用一连串并列谓语，便不能体现原文表现的那种气势。现在这个译文用了四个短句，连用四个we must，恰好保持了原文包含的那种力量。
例73
做工的人，傍午傍晚散了工，每每花四文铜钱，买一碗酒，——这是二十多年前的事，现在每碗要涨到十文，/——靠柜外站着，热热的喝了休息；/倘肯多花一文，便可以买一碟盐煮笋，或者茴香豆，做下酒物了，如果出到十几文，那就能买一样荤菜，/但这些顾客，多是短衣帮，大抵没有这样阔绰。（孔乙己）
When men come off work at midday and in the evening they buy a bowl of wine; it cost four coppers twenty years ago, but now it costs ten. / Standing beside the counter, they drink it warm, and relax. / Another copper will buy a plate of salted bamboo shoots or peas flavoured with aniseed, to go with the wine; while for a dozen coppers you can buy a meat dish. / But most of these customers belong to the short-coated class, few of whom can afford this.
此例取自《孔乙己》一文，说的是做工的人到酒店喝酒的事。句子虽长，主要靠一连串的动作，层层展开，语言流畅。译文分作四句，第一句说何时来饮酒以及酒价的变化，第二句说工人一般怎样饮酒，第三句说花一点钱买下酒菜的事，第四句说一般工人买不起。这样译，一句是一句，比较简洁。若硬要把这些可以独立的句子放在一个长句里，还要照顾它们之间的联系，就会很困难，效果也不一定好。
例74
第三，世界一流大学在办学模式和培养学生的方法方面，都提倡学术自由，鼓励理论创新；/多用启发式、讨论式的教学方式，少用灌输式的教授方法；/既发挥学术骨干的核心作用，又提倡团队合作精神；既注意发挥自身的学术优势，又注意吸收他人之长；/不鼓励本校毕业生读本校研究生，而乐于接受他校的优秀毕业生来读研究生；/在学术上不搞唯我独尊、论资排辈，重视因材施教，支持年轻优秀学者脱颖而出；等等。（L150-151）
Three, they have all adopted school running modes and teaching methods that advocate academic freedom and encourage theoretical innovation. / Their teaching is less based on cramming and more on elicitation methods and seminars. / While the roles of leading scholars are valued, they advocate a teamwork ethos and concentrate on developing their own academic strengths while absorbing the strengths of other institutions and people. / They don't encourage their undergraduates to stay put for graduate courses; and they welcome into their own graduate schools outstanding undergraduates from elsewhere. / In academic life they frown upon overweening self-importance and a pecking order based on seniority, adapt teaching to students' aptitudes, and support the emergence of outstanding scholars no matter how young. (148-149)
此例原文很长，列举了很多项目，用分号隔开。这种句子最便于译文采用断句的办法。此例译文就断成了五句，基本上就在用分号的地方断句，改为句号。但也不尽然，也可以根据行文的需要加以调整。
（五）合句
例75
改善社会风气要从教育入手。\教育一定要联系实际。（DⅢ144）
The improvement of general social conduct must be accomplished through education, \ and education must conform to realities. (147)
例76
对于你们的帮助，我非常感激。\当然还要靠我们自己的努力。（DⅢ183）
We are very grateful for your help, \ but of course we have to depend on our own hard work. (184)
以上二例都不长。第一例第二句继续发挥第一句的论点，第二例第二句话锋转向另一方面，思路虽不同，但译文用了一个and和一个but，就分别把第二句和第一句连在一起，都把原来的两句合成了一句。
例77
物价问题是历史遗留下来的。\ 过去，物价都由国家规定。（DⅢ262）
The problem of prices has remained unsolved for many years, \ during which the state set all the prices. (257)
此例原文两句都不长。第一句“历史”所指不是很久以前的历史，因此译为for many years。第二句一开始就提到“过去”，这是一个很好的连接，因此译文用during which把两句连在了一起，语气更连贯。
例78
改革开放必须从各国自己的条件出发。\ 每个国家的基础不同，历史不同，所处的环境不同，左邻右舍不同，还有其他许多不同。（DⅢ265）
The reform and opening must be carried out in the light of the particular conditions in each country, \ because countries differ from one another in many respects, such as their economic base, history, environment and neighbours. (260)
此例第一句强调“从各国自己的条件出发”，第二句稍长，说明各国之不同，显然是解释第一句话，因此译文用because将两句连在了一起。
例79
我有一个观点，如果一个党、一个国家把希望寄托在一两个人的威望上，并不很健康。\那样，只要这个人一有变动，就会出现不稳定。（DⅢ272）
I believe it is not healthy for a party or country to pin its hopes on the reputation of one or two persons, \ because if they then lose their prestige it can cause political instability. (267)
此例第一句说这种情况“不很健康”，第二句说明为什么这么说。译文用because将两句合成一句，比较紧凑。
例80
当我得知爱尔兰的软件产业发展很快时，感到很吃惊。\爱尔兰过去在我的印象中，是一个风光秀丽的农牧业国家，也出过像萧伯纳这样的大文豪，但主要是盛产羊毛，/没有想到这个国家竟能在高科技方面取得如此重大的成就。（L216-217）
I was surprised to learn that Ireland was making quick progress in the software industry \ because it struck me as an idyllic farming and livestock-breeding country which produces loads of wool, and great men of letters such as George Bernard Shaw. / I never expected a country like that to come up with such major hi-tech achievements. (221)
例81
对借外债要作具体分析。有些国家借了很多外债，/不能说都是失败的，有得有失。\ 他们由经济落后的国家很快达到了中等发达国家的水平。（DⅢ193）
As for foreign loans, we should make a concrete analysis of the question. Some countries have borrowed large amounts of foreign funds. / This cannot be regarded solely as a loss; they have gained from it too, \ rapidly growing from economically backward countries into moderately developed ones. (193)
例82
从现在起到下世纪中叶，将是很要紧的时期，/我们要埋头苦干。\ 我们肩膀上的担子重，责任大啊！（DⅢ383）
The period from now to the middle of the next century will be crucial. / We must immerse ourselves in hard work: \ we have difficult tasks to accomplish and bear a heavy responsibility. (370)
此三例译文都是有分有合，合句之处，第一例加了because，第二例用了分词，第三例用了冒号。使用的手段不同，效果却是一样的：即把原文用两个句子表达而意思联系很紧的词语连接起来，放在一个句子里，意思更为连贯，结构更为紧凑。另外，把相对关系较远的词语分出来，独立成句，也可以充分显示其自身的分量。
例83
这些老人啊！\好多年没有机会在一块见面了，/今天随便聊聊天吧。（DⅢ336）
We veterans \ haven't had a chance to get together for many years. / Let's take this opportunity to have a chat today.(325)
例84
那一年，我家是一件大祭祀的值年。\ 这祭祀，说是三十多年才能轮到一回，所以很郑重；/正月里供祖像，供品很多，祭器很讲究，拜的人也很多，祭器也很要防偷去。（故乡）
That year it was our family's turn to take charge of a big ancestral sacrifice, \ which came round only once in thirty years, and hence was an important one. / In the first month the ancestral images were presented and offerings made, and since the sacrificial vessels were very fine and there was such a crowd of worshippers, it was necessary to guard against theft.
此二例也都是有分有合。第一例第一句没有谓语，第二句前半句没有主语，二者结合起来，正好译成一句话，算是打个招呼。下面另起一句，再说今天要做什么。第二例第一句谈到大祭祀，第二句前半句又谈大祭祀的重要性，因此索性把它们放在一起，译成一个句子，后面另起一句，说明具体做的事情。
例85
这样来制定方针政策，就能统一全党思想，达到新的团结。\这样的基础是最可靠的。（DⅢ235）
Formulating principles and policies in this way enables us to unify the thinking of the whole Party so as to achieve a new unity; \ unity formed on such a basis is most reliable. (232)
例86
现在我们有些方面落后，但不是一切都落后。\ 这个工程本身也证明了这一点。（DⅢ280）
We are backward in some respects but not in all \ —this project itself is proof of that. (273)
此二例的译文，一个用了分号，一个用了破折号，就把原文的两个句子连在一起了。第一例“这样的基础”理解为前面句中的“新的团结”，第二例“这个工程”指的是我国的正负电子对撞机工程，正好证明前面句中所说的“不是一切都落后”。原文虽为两句，意思是连得很紧的。你是不是也觉得译文合为一句，是不错的？
看了以上这些译例，似乎可以得出以下几点认识：
1．断句的情况多，合句的情况少。需要断句时，可以断为二句，也可以断成更多的句子。
2．断与不断，断成几句，不取决于句子的长短，而取决于内容。在内容较多的句子里，哪里构成一个相对完整的意思，就可以独立成句。可以—中间断，也可以从靠前的地方断，或在靠后的地方断。
3．在该断的地方断句，可以使分割开来的部分显得更为突出，从而给读者留下更深刻的印象。
4．遇到合句的机会，可以合句。两个意思衔接得紧的句子，若译成一句话，可以使语言更紧凑，意思更连贯，何乐而不为？